Dương Quốc Hoàng of Việt Nam will compete alongside world billiards stars at the WNT Peri 9-ball Open on October 5-9. Photos of Matchroom

HÀ NỘI — The lucrative ranking event, the Peri 9-ball Open with US$104,000 in prize money, will take place in early October in Hà Nội, featuring some of the world's best pool players.

The event is on October 5-9, a week before the inaugural Asian Open Pool Championship, the largest ever tournament to happen in the capital city, offering athletes a chance to earn vital points and tune-up ahead of the most hotly anticipated tournament in pool.

There will be 128 players taking part. The top 64 on the World Nineball Tour Rankings will be seeded with the remaining 64 spots in the field set to come from local qualifiers and spots open to all. The qualification will be held on October 2-4 at the same venue.

The Open, promoted by VietContent and supported by Peri Cues, will be played under the same WNT event rules at the Peri Pool Arena, a newly built billiards hall located in the very centre of the city, with more than 30 peri pool tables. 

It is the penultimate ranking event for the Race to Mosconi Cup automatic selection for teams before they take part in the conclusion of the Asian Open Pool Championship final on October 10-15 at the Indoor Athletics Complex. The qualifiers of the Peri 9-ball Open are allowed to register to compete at the Asian championship.

Vietnamese rising star Dương Quốc Hoàng who has recently shown his outstanding talent at nineball tournaments all over the world will take part. The world's top 64 seed is guaranteed a berth in the final against well-known players such as reigning world champion Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz of Spain, two-time World Pool Masters winner David Alcaide of Spain, former winner of the European Pool Championships and World Cup of Pool Mario He from Austria and Russia's Fedor Gorst, one of the youngest world pool champions.

Spanish reigning world champion Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz will be among the Peri 9-ball Open competitors.

The winner will walk away with $25,000 while the runner-up will receive $15,000. Athletes who advance to the rounds of last-32, last-16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will also bag bonuses ranging from $1,000-8,000.

Matchroom, the world leader in hosting, promoting and broadcasting nine-ball pool, will cover the event extensively with live streams and exclusive content, showcasing the best of the World Nineball Tour to fans globally with over 1.5 million followers. 

Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director Emily Frazer said: “The plans of the billiards arena look impressive, with the Matchroom team all arriving in Hà Nội in time for the Peri 9-ball Open, we have an extensive plan in place, so we can best promote the event and 9-ball in Việt Nam.” 

Vietcontent CEO Trần Thùy Chi added: “With all my love for our home town and sports as well, I always dream of bringing international sports events here to the very beautiful and charming city like Hà Nội. So I do appreciate the kind support of the city authorities and Matchroom in organising a back-to-back 9-ball ranking event here. It’s helping to make Hà Nội a centre of 9-ball Pool in October”.

Nguyễn Hoàng Nhật, representative of the Peri, the title sponsor, said: “I was a fan of pool and Matchroom event for a long time. And I always believe that our Vietnamese player will be the champion of the world one day.

"With the cooperation of Peri Cue and my partner Vietcontent now I can make a step forward the goal. I hope that the Peri 9-ball Open will create a big motivation for Vietnamese players in training because now even a young player without money can have the opportunity to step up to the international stage”. VNS